do I really need a Tritoon? Or the Saltwater package?

[misterman]

Hello all! I'm new to the forum and soon to be a new pontoon toon boat owner. What I've been reading online is that if you plan to use a pontoon boat in salt water you should have a Tritoon witness saltwater package and shark hide the boat. Problem is I'm limited on funds I can only afford about 25 grand worth of boat. I really want an avalon or Tahoe with their extended rear like the LTZ cruise. Just going to be my family boat. I would love to get a 115 or 150 on it but it looks like the two tubes are only rated up to 90 horsepower. I found some good used boats with 90 horsepower on it and wondering if I can make these Saltwater ready myself? Can I add a bigger engine to them? And do I really need a third tube if the waves aren't much bigger than a foot max? I'm up in the Seattle area and plan to use this boat in the South Puget Sound. In the winter time the waves can get a bit choppy but during the summer it's pretty smooth for any time that we would be out there. Any help is appreciated!

[PlaynDoc]

Welcome to the forum...
Ya gotta get, what you can afford, of course.... Since I boat 99.99% on fresh water lakes, I can't help you with your questions, but I'm sure there's people on here that can.
I will toss this in, though.... make sure your boat is ready for 'worst case scenario', for the water you'll be navigating.

[Reiner]

I boat in salt water too and did not get a salt package, I did put on some extra sacrificial anodes on the toons. I clean my boat with a power washer after each use so I do not see the need for shark hide application. I assume you trailer your toon too. Different story if left in the water all the time. What I strongly suggest is a try-toon and a 150 HP engine buy I hear you with the budget.
Good luck!

[jafo9]

i can't really comment on the salt water aspect as i've never taken any of my boats in salt water. i've taken pwc's and was just very careful with the wash down at the end with no undue effects. a 3rd log typically give you more buoyancy and a better rough water ride. the extra buoyancy typically will give you more bow rise which will help with waves/chop. repowering a pontoon while not impossible, can be quite impractical in your scenario. you will also be limited by the manufacturer rating of the hull/transom. finding a used pontoon in your price range sounds reasonable, you may have to hunt for a bit and be willing to drive some too. i will echo the above comment about planning for your worst case scenario. anyone can putt around on a calm day but it sounds like your body of water can have some bad days.

[FLOUNDERPOUNDER225]

My Berkshire 231 RFC is a SW edition, obviously all the hardware is Stainless, anodes on both outside toons (mounted on the transducer brackets) she has a 25" transom, so the 25" shaft motor sits up a little higher than boats that run a 20" shaft. If you have not been for a ride in a Tritoon in the sloppy stuff, you need to compare to a pontoon. I have been running boats for 40 years in exclusively saltwater, I have owned big deep V's and other smaller runabouts, a pontoon several years ago, and our most recent Performance Tritoon. This boat runs across big waves, bay chop, and out into the gulf easier than anything I have owned. These triple toons are impressive to say the least.

[Rrr Happy Place]

I have driven with 2 toons and 3 toons... the difference for me was amazing! Both in stability and performance that extra toon does make a difference!

[Towdaddy]

I fully understand the budget limitations but if you can get the tritoon, I would go for it. Since I only boat in freshwater, I can't help with the Saltwater question.

I always tell people that any purchase requires the calculations around 1) what you can afford; 2) what you need; and 3) what you want. This calculation is different for each of us and only you can do your personal math. I have a Radiologist friend that always buys beater cars. He can certainly afford better but he sees cars as only a means to get from point A to point B so he only buys what he needs and wants.

[misterman]

Hey All,

Thought I'd finish this topic off by telling you what I ended up with. I found a 1024 24' Manitou Aurora VP in Virginia (I'm in Seattle) that had the V-toon, a 150 Yamaha and vinyl flooring for far less than anything I could find around me. Even after flying out there to check it out, buying a new trailer and paying to have it all shipped to me I still ended up with a hell of a deal. I have to say I Freakin Love It! The layout is awesome for my family and it even is aluminum sheeted underneath which is perfect. Thanks for all your help. Now I just have to learn how to get it on and off the trailer without hitting the docks....

[justrfb]

Great to hear... Good luck with your "new to you" boat and be safe.

Rich

[Bryden24shp]

Nice! The Aurora VP's are nice. Same basic design, the VP's were the original SHP's until 2009, they reinforced the nosecones and changed transom designs to accommodate the higher HP motors better. My 2007 Xplode, with 250 Etec was kind of a proving ground boat for them. We did a lot to it and took it from 50 mph to well over 60. It concaved a nosecone and they replaced them with the Barracuda nosecones which are on the 2009 on up SHP's. You'll love the SeaStar Hydraulic steering. Your 150 will push it very nicely, should get into the mid 40's for you. Nice boat... You'll love it and it will last you a long, long time. Congrats!

[Bryden24shp]

Whoops, I forgot... The Saltwater package.... If you are going to slip it in the water, you may want to add some zink anodes. Even in fresh water, you may get some electrolysis that can pit the pontoons and lower unit. You can mount some on the end cap transducer mounts, or just hang them from wires looped around the railings. The electric current that MAY be in the water, will eat them and not your pontoon...

[Bamaman]

If you're, not going to dock it in salt water, the s/w package might not be needed. Everyone needs to be careful docking their boats even in fresh water. All it takes is one dock space with the polarity reversed on the 110 volt electrics and pitting can occur on any aluminum surface.

I keep my boat sitting on a wood platform out of the water in a boathouse. Otherwise, I'd be keeping it in storage on the trailer. Boats kept out of the water and out of the rain will just last so much longer.

[teecro]

... Everyone needs to be careful docking their boats even in fresh water. All it takes is one dock space with the polarity reversed on the 110 volt electrics and pitting can occur on any aluminum surface....

This advise has been worrying me for the last 5 weeks... My 2 year old boat sits wet 24/7 at the HOA marina and last year when I pulled it for a power wash it cleaned up fine. This year while it cleaned up ok what I noticed was that at and below the waterline the toons were very rough and sandpaper like and my SS prop which sat in the water for at best 5 weeks was no longer shiny at all it too was a dull and slightly rough texture. On top of all this I sat in on the mariner's club meeting while I was home last and one of the major topics was the need for upgrades to the electrical services on the dock... Now I've got a sinking feeling that the dock electrical may be leaking and eating away at the boats that stay in the water... I wonder if this is something I can test for with a run of the mill FLUKE multi-meter? I will have to try when I get home next...